MTV VMAs nominations: Madonna leads with 11 as Taylor Swift follows behind

Madonna has earned the highest number of nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, the network announced on Tuesday. Her recognition spans every decade of her musical career. To date, she holds 19 competitive VMA trophies and was recognized in 1986 as the inaugural solo female recipient of the Video Vanguard Award.

For the upcoming ceremony, she is nominated in 11 categories: video, artist, and song of the year, alongside best collaboration, dance, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, and visual effects. Winning all 11 nominations would place her in a tie with Beyoncé and Taylor Swift as the most-honored musicians in the history of the VMAs, with 30 awards each. Eminem currently leads male artists with 15 wins.

Swift holds the second-highest tally this year with nine nods. A single victory at the event would secure her place as the most decorated artist in VMA history. Her nominations cover video of the year, artist of the year, best pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, and visual effects.

Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each secured seven nominations, while Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson received five apiece. LISA of Blackpink picked up four nominations, while Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION, and Yung Lean each received three. The nominees competing alongside Madonna and Swift for artist of the year include Grande, Mars, Carpenter, and Morgan Wallen.

Contenders for the headline award, video of the year, are Swift’s "The Fate of Ophelia," Madonna’s "Confessions II — The Film," Grande’s "Hate That I Made You Love Me," Mars’ "I Just Might," Carpenter’s "Tear," and GENER8ION’s "Storm" featuring Yung Lean. The two-hour presentation will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on CBS at 7::green-background[30] p.m. Eastern and 4::green-background[30] p.m.

Pacific on Sunday, Sept. 27. Viewers in the U.S. can also watch via an MTV simulcast or stream it on Paramount+. International streaming access via Paramount+ and MTV will follow the next day.